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Low Blood Pressure: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

August 3, 2022

Low Blood Pressure: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
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Blood pressure under 90/60 mm/Hg is referred to as hypotension or low blood pressure. It frequently has no symptoms in affected individuals. However, they are typically uncomfortable or unpleasant when lightheadedness, dizziness, and other symptoms appear. In some circumstances, hypotension can be harmful; prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

In some instances, natural remedies can boost low blood pressure and reduce some of the symptoms. However, in some situations, therapy and medication may be required as an intervention to elevate blood pressure to a healthy level.

There are two ways to define hypotension:

Absolute hypotension: Your resting blood pressure is less than 90/60 millimeters of mercury (millimeters of mercury).

Three minutes after getting out of a sitting position, you experience orthostatic hypotension, which is a dip in blood pressure. Your systolic (top) pressure must decrease by at least 20 mmHg, and your diastolic (bottom) pressure must drop by at least 10 mmHg. Postural hypotension is another name for this since it occurs when a person’s posture shifts.

What distinguishes hypotension from hypertension?

The opposite of hypertension is hypotension.

The word “hyper-” is a prefix that implies “too high.”

The word “hypo-” is a prefix that implies “too low.”

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

Symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension) include:

  • Blurred eyesight
  • Unsteadiness or faintness
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Nausea

When blood pressure decreases unexpectedly or is accompanied by symptoms, it may indicate an underlying health issue for some people.

It can be harmful when blood pressure suddenly drops. Even a little fluctuation in blood pressure, such as going from 110 mm Hg to 90 mm Hg, might result in fainting and dizziness. Large dips, like those caused by uncontrollable bleeding, serious infections, or allergic responses, might be fatal.

The condition known as shock can result from extremely low blood pressure. Shock symptoms include:

  • Confusion, particularly in the elderly
  • Clammy, frigid skin
  • Decrease in skin color (pallor)

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Many different factors can cause hypotension.

  • Orthostatic hypotension occurs when you get up too rapidly, and your body cannot make up for it by increasing the blood supply to your brain.
  • Disorders of the central nervous system: Parkinson’s disease, for example, can alter how your neurological system regulates your blood pressure. Given that their digestive systems consume more blood when processing food, people with these illnesses who have hypotension may experience the symptoms of low blood pressure after eating.
  • Low blood volume: Low blood pressure can result from extensive bleeding after an injury. Low blood volume can also be a result of dehydration.
  • Lung and heart problems:Hypotension can occur when your heart beats too quickly or slowly or if your lungs aren’t functioning properly.
  • Medicines on prescription: Medication for high blood pressure, heart failure, erectile dysfunction, neurological issues, depression, and other conditions can cause hypotension.
  • Extreme temperatures: Hypotension can be impacted by extreme temperatures and aggravate its consequences.

Conditions that may result in low blood pressure

The following medical problems can result in low blood pressure:

  • Pregnancy: Blood vessels quickly enlarge due to pregnancy-related changes. The changes might lower blood pressure. Low blood pressure is typical early in pregnancy (the first 24 weeks), and low blood pressure is typical. After giving delivery, blood pressure typically recovers to pre-pregnancy levels.
  • Conditions of the heart and heart valves: Low blood pressure can be brought on by a heart attack, heart failure, heart valve dysfunction, and an abnormally slow heartbeat (bradycardia).
  • Illnesses relating to hormones (endocrine disorders): Blood pressure can fall with conditions that affect the parathyroid or adrenal glands, such as Addison’s disease. In addition, hypoglycemia, diabetes, and other conditions can drop blood pressure.
  • Dehydration: The body’s blood volume reduces when there is insufficient water. Blood pressure may decline as a result of this. Dehydration is a risk factor for fever, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, usage of diuretics, and vigorous activity.
  • Loss of blood: Blood volume is reduced when there is significant blood loss, such as through an accident or internal bleeding, and this causes a sharp reduction in blood pressure.
  • A serious infection (septicemia): Septic shock is a life-threatening reduction in blood pressure that can occur when an infection in the body enters the circulation.
  • Severe allergic response (anaphylaxis): A significant decline in blood pressure is one of the signs of a severe allergic response.
  • Nutritional deficiency in the diet: Low iron, folate and vitamin B-12 levels can prevent the body from generating enough red blood cells, which can cause anaemia and lower blood pressure.

Natural & Home Remedies for Hypotension

Most people cannot recognise that they have low blood pressure. However, you can try these home treatments if your common blood pressure symptoms can be controlled at home:

  • Increase your salt intake
  • Drink more water
  • Sit cross-legged
  • Tulsi Leaves
  • Almond Milk
  • Drink beetroot and carrot juice
  • Increase vitamin intake
  • Coffee

People also ask

1. What does a BP of 80/60 mean?

The range for your optimum blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg. You get low blood pressure or hypotension if it falls too low. A shortage of blood and oxygen to your important organs might cause you to fall into shock.

2. What does low blood pressure feel like?

A vision that is blurry or losing clarity is one of the signs of low blood pressure (hypotension). Other signs are feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or fainting.

3. Why do you get low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure can be brought on by a heart attack, heart failure, heart valve dysfunction, and an abnormally slow heartbeat (bradycardia). Illnesses relating to hormones (endocrine disorders). Blood pressure can fall with conditions that affect the parathyroid or adrenal glands, such as Addison’s disease.

4. How can low BP be cured?

Up your water intake. Fluids assist cure hypotension because they raise blood volume and keep people from becoming dehydrated. Put on compression socks.

5. Can low blood pressure cause a stroke?

Your heart may try to compensate for low blood pressure by beating quicker or harder. Unfortunately, that can eventually result in cardiac failure and possibly irreversible heart damage. Also, clots can develop and cause issues like deep vein thrombosis and stroke because blood isn’t flowing as it should.

Disclaimer: We recommend consulting a Doctor before taking any action based on the above shared information.


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Department

Department of Cardiology

Department of Cardiology

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